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One, it's a serious problem and shouldn't be thrown around as an adjective for people. Two, that's not what it means. It's the actual obsession with food/weight loss itself. The persons size can be irrelevant when it comes to the diagnosis, plus not all really thin or underweight people are anorexic. (Don't quote the DSM to me, a majority of doctors will diagnose it in heavier patients.)
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Why not quote the one book that can offer the best insight with regard to this topic?
According to the DSM, one of the defining characteristics of anorexia nervosa is being below 85% of the normal bodyweight for a person of a given height and gender. So, no, a heavier person does not have anorexia.
That being said, within the eating disorders section there is a sub-section which is called "eating disorders not otherwise specified." In this subsection it refers to a disorder in which a person meets all the criteria for anorexia nervosa except the weight criteria. So, although a heavier person can be suffering from something similar to anorexia, it is not precisely that. It is something that has not yet been defined or not enough research has been conducted.
Because of this, it is not difficult to assume that doctors give the diagnosis of anorexia because it is the closest thing and the treatment will likely be similar.
All of that being said, you are correct. Being too thin is just one criteria for anorexia. Thus, thinness in and of itself cannot be used to diagnose an individual.
Never heard it done, but if you want to get all technical, 'Anorexia' just means lack of appetite, if you mean the mental disorder it's 'Anorexia nervosa'...
You're quite correct, but it does seem to have taken on other secondary meanings with common incorrect usage.
I was shocked when I was told I had anorexia after being diagnosed with hepatitis, until the nurse explained it just meant loss of appetite, not anorexia nervousa.